Mat-Su pitchers named All-ABL

PALMER — A pair of Mat-Su Miners pitchers have been named first-team All-Alaska Baseball League.

Starter Jason Erickson and reliever Michael Rocha were both included on the list released by league officials on Monday evening.

“I think they’re definitely deserving,” Mat-Su head coach Conor Bird said on Monday evening. “It would have been nice to get some more guys on the first team.”

The Miners, who currently occupy second place in the ABL standings, also have a few representatives on the second team.

Blake Newalu (third base), Ty Rasmussen (outfield) and Steven Fischback (pitcher) were all named second-team.

Outfielder Kyle Jensen and pitcher Garrett Richards were among a five-way tie for second place in the ABL top prospect category.

“Kyle Jensen, he can do a lot of things for you, and Garrett Richards definitely deserves to be on that list,” Bird said.

Newalu was second in the gold glove balloting.

“You can put Blake anywhere on the field,” Bird said. “He’s got a real bright future.”

Erickson, in his second summer with the Miners, is 6-1 with a 2.51 ERA. In 43 innings, he’s fanned 39 hitters while walking only five opponents.

“He throws a ton of strikes, and he’s a competitive guy,” Bird said. “He’s been huge for us.”

Rocha leads the Miners with five saves and a 0.42 ERA.

The Miners have five games remaining in the 2008 season. Today, Mat-Su and the Anchorage Bucs will meet in a rare home-and-home doubleheader. The action starts at noon with the Miners hosting the Bucs at Hermon Brothers Field. There will be free admission for all fans during the first game of the doubleheader, thanks to the game’s sponsor Advanced Medical Centers of Alaska.

Following the first game, the teams will take the 45-minute trip south to Anchorage and will meet again at 7 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium.

Mat-Su begins at two-game series at the Peninsula Oilers on Wednesday, and will return home to face the Alaska Goldpanners in the season finale on Friday at Hermon Brothers Field.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

2008 All-Alaska Baseball League

Player of the Year — Brint Hardy, AIA.

Top prospect — Nick Ciolli, Panners.

Gold glove — Joe Scott, Pilots.

Silver slugger — Brint Hardy, AIA.

Coach of the year — Bob Miller, Pilots.

First team — First base: Joey Terdoslavich, Pilots; Second base: Evan Wells, Bucs; Shortstop: Joe Scott, Pilots; Third base: Raoul Torrez, Panners; Catcher: Tobias Streich, AIA; Outfield: Brint Hardy, AIA; Luke Yoder, Pilots; Nick Ciolli, Panners; Starting pitching: Jason Erickson, Miners; Christian Bergman, Bucs; Paul Bargas, Bucs; Joe Gardner, Oilers; Ross Humes, Oilers; Relief pitching: Michael Rocha, Miners; Zach Quate, Pilots; Eric Best, Pilots; Eric Draxton, Oilers; Designated hitter: Paul Goldschmidt, Bucs; Utility player: Matt Newman, Panners.

Second team — First base: Paul Goldschmidt, Bucs; Second base: Bryan Haar, Pilots; Shortstop: Jonathon Merritt, AIA; Third base: (tie) Blake Newalu, Miners; Matt Harughty, Pilots; Catcher: Francis Larson, Oilers; Outfield: Ty Rasmussen, Miners; Jonathon Jones, Pilots; Thomas Myers, Panners; Starting pitching: Steven Fischback, Miners; Tyler Henry, Pilots; Matt Newman, Panners; Relief pitching: Kyle Brule, Panners; Brandon Berl, Oilers; Designated hitter: Kevin Winn, AIA; Second team player of the year: Joe Gardner, Oilers; Christian Bergman, Bucs;

Second team top prospect: (tie) Kyle Jensen, Miners; Garrett Richards, Miners; Brint Hardy, AIA; Joey Terdoslavich, Pilots; Bryan Haar, Pilots;

Second team gold glove: Blake Newalu, Miners; Second team silver slugger: Paul Goldschmidt, Bucs.